Potato-digger



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POIATO GER. No. 410,210. 111110111611 sept. 3; 1839,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLE SIMONS, OF ARKDALE, WISCONSIN.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,210, dated September 3, 1889.

Application filed March 20,1889. Serial No. 303,977. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLE SIMONS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Arkdale, in the count-y of Adams and State of W'isconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Potato-Diggers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in potato-diggers and it consists in the peculiar construction and combination of devices, that will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a potato-digger embodyingr my improvements. Fig. 2 isa longitudinal sectional view of the saine. Fig. 3 is a side view. Fig. 4 is a detail view.

The driving-shaft A is provided on opposite ends with wheels B C. The wheelB has a broad inwardly-extending annular flange D or rim, and has an annular flange E on the outer side thereof, and arranged transversely on the inner side of the flange D, and at suitable distances apart, are flights F. Secured to the inner side of the wheel C, and revoluble therewith is a gear-wheel G.

The driving-shaft is journalcd in bearings H, secured on the frame I, the latter having a pair of rearwardly-extendin g parallel bars K near one side, with their rear ends upturned or inclined and provided with bearings for a shaft L. To the outer end of the said shaft is secured a grooved pulley M, and projecting from the inner end of the shaft are a series of radial arms N.

Keyed to the shaft A is a pulley P, which is connected to the pulley M by means of an endless belt O.

Journaled in bearings near one corner of the frame is a shaft R, which has a pinion S at its outei1 end that engages a gear-wheel G, and is provided at its inner end with acrankwheel T.

A tongue U is secured in an offset at the front right-hand corner of the frameand projects forward therefrom, and to the said tongue is fulcrum ed a lever V, which is connected by means of a link WV to a rock-shaft X, which is j ournaled in bearings at the lower ends of a curved or arched bar Y, which is arranged transversely near the front end of the frame and secured thereto, as shown. A

crankZ is formed at Vthe inner end of the rock-shaft, and to the said crank is pivoted a saddle A', which is attached to the beam of a plow B at a suitable point near its rear end.

The front end of the plow-beam is connected to a hook or draft-iron C under the tongue by means of a link ordraft-rod D.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. l that the plow is arranged near the inner side of the wheel B, and is adapted to throw its furrow upon the iiange D of said wheel. The said plow may be raised or lowered, and thereby caused to operate y at any desired depth, by means of the lever V.

A shaking-screen E has its front end pivotally connected to the frame at a point just in rear of the tongue, and said screen comprises a series of longitudinal parallel rods F and cross-bars G', which connect the same near their front and rear ends. Side boards H are arranged at the sides of the screen, as shown.

In the extreme rear ends of the bars K is journaled a rock-shaft I', which is provided with an. arm K', which is connected to the crank T by means of a pitman L', and the said arm K is also connected to the shakingscreen by a link M.

On the right-hand side of the frame is arranged a chute N', which has its rear inner corner depressed, and thereby adapted to discharge its contents onto the shaking-screen. The said chute is arranged under the flange D of the wheel B.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The plow is directed in such manner as to throw the potatoes, together with the earth, onto the flange D of wheel B, and as the latter rotates its flights cause the earth and the potatoes to be elevated and to drop onto the chute, from which they fall upon the screen. The `shaft R being geared to and revolved by the wheel C, and the rock-shaft I', which is connected by the link to the shaking-screen, being also connected to the crank-wheel T, vibratory motion Y is imparted to the said shaking-screen, and the potatoes which fall thereon are agitated and cleared of adhering earth. The revolving arms N, which are rotated by the pulleys and endless belts, engage the vines and trash and prevent them from lodging on the screen. The potatoes, after IOO extending transversely over said screen and having radial arms or agitators, and operating mechanism for the said shaking-screen and agitator-shaft geared to one of the supporting-Wheels of The machine, substantially as andy for the purpose herein shown and specified.

In testimony that I claim th eforegoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence vof two witnesses.

OLE SIMONS.

IVitneSSeS: c

A. S. HAMILTON, C. M. SIMoNs. 

